The Cleveland Browns have been one of the big surprises of the 2014 NFL season and much of that has had to do with their strong run game. However, no one running back for the Browns has managed to stand out, even though Ben Tate was expected to be the No. 1 back. Tate admitted Tuesday that he'd "be lying" if he said he was satisfied with his role on the team, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Ben Tate not satisfied with role in Browns’ backfield
The running back is frustrated that his role in Cleveland has diminished.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
During Cleveland's most recent win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football, Tate got 10 carries for 34 yards and one score. That was fewer carries than rookies Terrance West (26) and Isaiah Crowell (12), though Tate also caught two passes for 26 yards.
Tate, who signed a two-year deal with Cleveland in the offseason worth $6.2 million, entered the season as the top running back, a spot that West holds at this point with a team-high 107 carries for 396 yards. After spending his first fours seasons with the Houston Texans as the backup to Arian Foster, Tate's frustrated that he's not more of a featured weapon for the Browns:
“I’m just a player, man, I’m just a number to them,” said Tate. “I couldn’t really tell you why things are happening or what’s going on. The only thing I can do and when it’s time to go to work, go to work.”
Tate missed two games with a sprained knee earlier this season and has just 104 carries for 342 yards and four touchdowns. His 3.3 yards per carry average is lowest among the three backs, and he’s receiving just under 15 carries per game, fewer than the 20 he expected coming into the season.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shananan said that the Browns will continue with the shared backfield approach unless one of the backs decides to seize the main job:
“I’ve always had a running back who really separates himself from the others,” Shanahan said. “We’ve got three solid guys. But for one of those guys to just get the bulk of the carries and to take off, then that’s up to them.”
Although Tate did not mention whether he regrets signing with Cleveland, he acknowledged that the team winning games is what’s important, saying, “We’re 6-3 and in first place, that’s all that really matters.” He’s looking forward to playing his former team in Week 11 when the AFC North-leading Browns host the Texans, but Tate would rather the situation be as he originally envisioned it -- as the clear-cut No. 1 running back.
See More:
